EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)
A formal inspection of the fixed electrical installation, wiring, consumer unit, sockets and light fittings, by a qualified electrician. Required every 5 years for all private rented properties in England under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. Maximum civil penalty: £30,000 per property.
At a glance
- Renewal
- Every 5 years
- Max penalty
- £30,000 per property
- Who can sign
- Qualified electrician (NICEIC / NAPIT / STROMA)
- Law
- Electrical Safety Standards (PRS) (England) Regs 2020
Full guide
Read the complete landlord guide on EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)
Deadlines, fines and step-by-step compliance in our in-depth resource.
Open full guideWhy EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) matters for landlords
EICR was the last big safety duty to land on English landlords (2020 for new tenancies, 2021 for all) and the £30,000 civil penalty per property is the highest non-HMO penalty in the compliance stack. Unlike gas, an EICR "failed" result doesn’t mean the property is unlet — but any C1 or C2 observation needs remedial work within 28 days and a written report confirming the remedy. The clock runs from the inspection date, not the report-delivery date.
Official sources
LetCompliance editorial reviews this entry every quarter against the sources above. Always confirm specific duties with a qualified solicitor or your local council.
Related terms
Compliance Score
A 0-100 score LetCompliance assigns to each property based on how up-to-date its safety certificates and tenancy documents are. 100 means Gas Safety, EICR, EPC, deposit protection and Right to Rent are all current; the score drops as deadlines approach and is recalculated daily.
EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)
A certificate rating a property's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Rental properties in England must meet at least an E. Properties rated F or G cannot be legally let under MEES. An EPC is valid for 10 years. Maximum fine: £5,000 per property.
EPC C Proposal
A government proposal to raise the minimum EPC rating for rental properties in England from E to C. As of 2026 this is still a proposal, not law, but draft secondary legislation targets new tenancies by 2028 and all tenancies by 2030. Landlords should plan upgrades but verify current requirements on GOV.UK.
Eviction Ban
A government-imposed moratorium on enforcing possession orders, used during the COVID-19 pandemic. No eviction ban is in force as of 2026. Bailiffs can enforce possession orders once 14 days' notice has been given.
Accelerated Possession
A fast-track court procedure used under a Section 21 notice in England and Wales. Abolished for new claims from 1 May 2026 because Section 21 no longer exists. Possession is now pursued under Section 8 using a specified ground.
AST (Assured Shorthold Tenancy)
The most common form of private tenancy in England. From 1 May 2026 all existing ASTs converted to assured periodic tenancies under the Renters Rights Act 2025, and new fixed-term ASTs can no longer be created for most residential lets.